A bill handing Oklahoma online sports betting control to the Oklahoma City Thunder is making moves in the legislature.
On Tuesday, the Senate advanced Senate Bill 585, which would give the NBA’s Thunder an online Oklahoma sports betting license. Tribes in the state would be allowed to offer sports betting on tribal land.
“If the OIGA and Thunder reach an agreement, I would think it could get through easily, but I am not sure that is going to happen,” the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Bill Coleman, told LSR Wednesday about the legislation’s chances in the House.
Despite local reports that the Thunder will meet with the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association next week, an OIGA spokesperson told LSR that no meeting is scheduled. Preferred tribal language, which OIGA clarified in a release Monday, is in bills sponsored by Rep. Ken Luttrell and Sen. Dave Rader.
Oklahoma sports betting deal?
Lawmakers denied advancing the bill in an initial vote, 24-22, falling a vote short of the 25 required votes. Coleman called for a motion to reconsider the vote, which then achieved the necessary 25-21 vote.
SB 585 enables the tribes to keep a portion equal to the state payments from sports betting revenue.
The tribes would need to come to an agreement with the Thunder for the proposal to work. OIGA declined to comment on the bill.
Conflict in Oklahoma
Tribal relations with Gov. Kevin Stitt remain shaky. Because of existing compacts, tribes have a say in gambling in Oklahoma. Earlier this session, Stitt said he would veto any bill giving tribes exclusivity.
Stitt has been vocal in wanting legal Oklahoma sports betting. He attempted to legalize it in 2020 by amending two tribal compacts, but the state’s attorney general ultimately ruled it illegal.
In 2023, Stitt rolled out a plan to issue licenses to commercial operators. He pointed to that plan again this year.
The relationship between the tribes and Stitt has remained icy. Even lawmakers from Stitt’s own Republican party have threatened to take over tribal negotiations.
OIGA remains open to sports betting
Over the past few sessions, Luttrell has introduced sports betting legislation giving tribes exclusivity. Luttrell’s proposal passed the House in 2023, and he introduced a bill this year.
OIGA released its policy positions on sports betting Monday, specifically mentioning the bills introduced by Luttrell and Rader.
“Our membership has been listening carefully to the conversations around sports betting legislation in Oklahoma,” OIGA Chairman Matthew L. Morgan said in the release. “We have also met with those proposing legislation and some of the key entities supporting the proposed legislation. After much discussion, OIGA members have articulated a position on sports betting.
“We believe that the language offered stays true to our guiding principles and puts forth a position that has broad tribal support and attempts to be inclusive of other sports betting stakeholders within parameters of the law,” Morgan said. “While we are not finished having our internal discussions around potential future forms of gaming, we think that our proposed language is a great first step to bring legal sports betting to our gaming customers. Finally, we also recognize the importance of letting our friends in the legislature know our thoughts as they work within their legislative timelines.”
Key OIGA requirements
Morgan told LSR before the session it remains willing to work with the state to legalize sports betting. At the time, it also reiterated that for tribal acceptance, however, legislation needs to hit three key requirements:
- The solution does not breach current compacts.
- It utilizes the compact supplement outlined in the compacts.
- The economics make sense for both sides.
Monday’s announcement re-established those key requirements.
